October 30 – Barcelona presidential frontrunner Victor Font (pictured) wants Pep Guardiola to return to the club and has “no doubt” Lionel Messi will stay despite his much-publicised fallout with previous Barca chief Josep Maria Bartomeu.
Bartomeu resigned his presidency earlier this week, along with his board of directors, ahead of an expected vote of no confidence.
It came after months of widespread criticism over the club’s decline on and off pitch but his potential successor says he has plans to bring back the glory days
Font believes the best way to keep Messi would be to entice Guardiola back from Manchester City for a second spell as manager.
“Most of the best professionals who know about this style are also fans and love the club, like Pep Guardiola, Xavi, Andrés Iniesta, Carles Puyol,” Font told Sky .
“They are all legends that love Barcelona but do not work for Barça today – we need to bring them back to ensure we will have a very competitive project.
“The only thing Messi needs is to know he is part of a competitive project that aspires to win the next Champions League. We have no doubt that if we basically have the honour to take the helm of FC Barcelona we will be able to achieve that [Messi staying].”
Ronald Koeman is battling to steady the ship after just a few weeks in charge and pulled off a good win at Juventus in the Champions League this week.
But Guardiola, whose City contract expires next summer, won 14 trophies in four years as Barcelona’s manager.
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